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Excessive spending and poor harvests lead to a financial crisis in France
After the excessive spending used in the 7 Years War and American Revolution, France was deep in war debt. They attempted to get out of this by increasing taxes which mostly affected poor farmers who had had a horrible harvest throughout 1789, leading to high tensions among the lower social classes. -
King Louis XVI calls the Estates General
In an effort to solve the tax problem, King Louis XVI called the Estates General together. It was made of the First, Second, and Third Estates that represented each social class level. -
First and Second Estates join the Third Estate in the newly formed National Assembly
With the Third Estate independent from the Estates General, many of the nobility and majority of the clergy joined in an effort to show resistance against the King and his absolute power. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The members of the Third Estate (as well as First and Second as the transition into the National Assembly occurred) took an oath promising "not to separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established". It showed the forces, despite differing social classes, joining together for a meaningful cause. -
The storming of the Bastille
With the earlier storm of Hôtel des Invalides, Paris was in an alarming state of tension. The Bastille at the time was seen as a public display of royal tyranny, being barely used but still funding drastically by the King. Fighting soon broke out and several died in the outbreak. -
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The Great Fear in the countryside
With a horrible harvest that summer and rumors of aristocrats planning to starve out the poorer population, panic soared throughout rural areas, causing many aristocrats to die as fearful peasants took control. It would be the main reason for the feudalism system to end. -
The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
Influenced by Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence in the United States, this document stated the natural rights of every man and that they were to be held universal. It was a large step for France in terms of freedom and democracy in Europe and worldwide. -
The Women’s March on Versailles
As a riot over the high price of bread as well as scarcity of it in general, many women took to the streets to hold demonstrations. It was a large factor in the ending of the monarchy as King Louis XVI was forced to bow to their commands. -
The Constitution of 1791 sets up a constitutional monarchy in France
Acting as the first written constitution in France, it was created after the collapse of the absolute monarchy. Within it, a constitutional monarchy was to be created where a legislative body would control government aspects while a monarch acted in the role of Head of State. -
The Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria
With the commotion occurring in France and the overthrow of the monarchy, many of the other countries around France felt that if they did not show some large action of power, their own people would revolt against them. Some also felt that since France would be in a state of despair, they would be easy to take over. In an effort to keep what little of remained of their government, France declared war on Austria. -
Louis XVI is executed at the guillotine
The people tired of the monarchy that had ruled over them for so long finally held their monarch responsible, taking him to the guillotine for his ruthless tyranny. -
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Robespierre's Reign of Terror
A time period during the French Revolution where several death sentences occurred (approximately 16,600 to be more exact). Robespierre felt that terror was necessary to regain control of the government and made sure that this time period lasted as long as possible in order to keep his power. -
The Directory is installed
Created in an attempt to reestablish government from Robespierre's control, the Directory of France created a bicameral government and stabilized the nation.